Graduate Nurse Emergency Department

Mount Nittany Health•State College, PA

About The Position

The Graduate Nurse provides professional nursing care in the Emergency Department using current nursing knowledge and the nursing process. Responsibilities include assessing patient needs, developing and implementing individualized plans of care, and evaluating the effectiveness of nursing care and other treatment measures. The nurse works under the supervision of a registered nurse and receives direct supervision from the Unit Director, Manager, Nursing Supervisor, or Nursing House Supervisor, and may also be accountable to the Charge Nurse. The role requires close supervision and frequent consultation on matters requiring professional judgment. Graduate nurses are not assigned unit charge responsibility or designated as the only professional nurse on the unit. The Graduate Nurse contributes to patient care, professional practice, quality improvement, and ongoing learning. Care is to be safe, ethical, nondiscriminatory, evidence-informed, and attentive to patient rights, confidentiality, continuity of care, and the needs of patients and families. Related and miscellaneous duties may be assigned.

Requirements

High school education or equivalent.
Graduate of an accredited nursing program.
Current Pennsylvania RN licensure pending with a practice permit.
Meet American Heart Association Healthcare Provider Basic Life Support (BLS) standards and renew BLS every two years.
Meet American Heart Association Healthcare Provider Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) standards within four months of hire or transfer and renew ACLS every two years.
Meet American Heart Association Healthcare Provider Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) standards within six months of hire or transfer and renew PALS every two years.
Demonstrate mental and emotional tolerance and an even temperament when dealing with ill people.
Use tact, sensitivity, sound judgment, and a professional attitude when relating to patients, families, and coworkers.
Practice under the supervision of a registered nurse and consult frequently with a supervisor on matters requiring professional judgment.

Nice To Haves

Relevant experience preferred.

Responsibilities

Collect and document relevant patient health data using systematic, ongoing assessment techniques and prioritizing according to the patient's condition and needs.
Analyze assessment data to determine nursing diagnoses, validate them with patients and others as appropriate, and document them to guide care planning.
Identify individualized, measurable, realistic, and attainable patient outcomes in collaboration with patients and healthcare providers when possible.
Develop and document individualized plans of care that reflect current nursing practice, address learning needs, and provide continuity of care, including after discharge.
Implement and document safe interventions consistent with the plan of care, including measures to prevent health problems and help patients and families cope with illness and traumatic situations.
Evaluate patient progress and responses to interventions, revise diagnoses and care plans as needed, and document evaluations and revisions.
Participate in quality-of-care activities and use results to initiate practice changes under RN supervision.
Evaluate personal nursing practice against professional standards and applicable laws and regulations; seek feedback, participate in appraisal and peer review, and pursue identified development goals.
Maintain and develop nursing knowledge and clinical skills through ongoing education and practice-setting experiences.
Share knowledge and skills with colleagues, provide constructive feedback, and contribute to clinical education environments as appropriate.
Make ethical decisions, maintain confidentiality, advocate for patients, and provide respectful, nondiscriminatory care that protects patient autonomy, dignity, and rights.
Collaborate and communicate with patients, significant others, and healthcare providers; consult providers and make referrals as needed to support continuity of care.
Use relevant research findings in practice and participate in research activities as appropriate to the role and practice environment.
Consider safety, effectiveness, and cost in care planning; assign or delegate care appropriately; help patients access services; and promote a safe, recovery-supportive environment.
Demonstrate leadership by prioritizing and delegating activities as appropriate, adapting to change, and assuming other duties assigned by the unit director or manager.
Perform related and miscellaneous duties as assigned.